Improvement in bouquet-holders



JAMES C. REED:

Bouquet Holder.

No. 118,486. Patented Aug. 29,1871.

\W g A m A L L. s M Q. v 0 E 5 R mm s m PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES C. REED, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOUQUET-HOLDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,486, dated August 29, 1871.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES C. REED, of Boston, Suffolk county, State ofM-assachusetts, have invented a certain new and Improved Bouquet- Holder for attaching single flowers or small clusters of flowers to the dress.

The invention requires a small hole in that portion of the clothing where the bouquet is to be attached. This condition is already fulfilled by the existence of one or more button-holes in the coat lapel. It is intended principally for use in attaching flowers tothe fronts of gentlemens and youths clothing. I will term it a button-holebouquet holder. It is a small and cheap device, adapted to be introduced through a button-hole from the back side of garment or the lapel and to receive and hold firmly the flowers introduced in the front.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention in several forms:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the entire device standing alone or outof the garment. Fig. 2 is a view of the device in a garment, the cloth of the garment being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a corresponding view but in a plane at right angles to the last. Fig. 4 is a back view, and Fig. 5 an edge view of the holder detached, constructed in a modified form, with elastic cord as a spring instead of the metal springs, shown in the preceding figures.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, A is a circular plate. corresponding in form and size to an ordinary button. E is a piece of hard wood, metal, or other suitable material firmly securedthereon by rivets D; and O O are curved pieces of watch-spring, riveted or otherwise secured to the piece E. The springs G O are easily introduced through the button-hole, and their form and elastic character allow them to readily yield to receive the stems of one or more flowers, which are pressed directly between them. They hold the stems of the flowers in the triangular space B.

This form of the invention is of particular advantage in avoiding the necessity of drawing downward the stems through any contracted space. There may be blooms, leaves, or buds below the spring-clip O as well as above.

Referring to Figs. 4: and 5, which represent another and simpler form of the invention, A represents, as before, the back piece, which may be in the form of an ordinary button-head, and 0 represents apiece of elastic, bent around to form a soft and highlyelastic eye or shank, which, being inserted from the back through the button-hole, is capable of great extension to allow the introduction of the stems of flowers from above, and is also capable of great contraction, so as to clasp firmly on the side of the stems.

The ends of the elastic may be secured to the button A by cementing or by any ordinary or suitable means of attaching such parts; but I propose in the cheapest form of the construction to simply knot the ends of the elastic O. A coiled spring of fine hard brass wire may be used in place of the elastic O. Plain rubber, vulcanized or unvulcanized, can be used in place of the clastic C, if preferred.

I esteem the form of the invention first described as the most complete, but there may be many modifications of the same general idea.

The form shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is extremely simple.

I claim I The button-hole-bouquet holder shown, having a button or portable head, A, and a spring, O, which latter is adapted to be inserted through a button-hole from the back, and to retain one or more flowers in the front by an elastic hold, substantially as and so as to serve the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I havehereunto set my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. JAMES C. REED.

Witnesses:

OHAs. B. F. ADAMS,

A. W. ADAMS. 

